ICMSA has represented farm families from all over Ireland at local, national, and European level with diligence, passion, integrity, and an emphasis on finding solutions to their farm-related problems for nearly 75 years. That emphasis on actively coming forward with solutions is what has distinguished the association from inception: we do not accept that protesting or obstructing is enough, we believe that problems must be identified and analysed from the farmer- point-of-view till a workable solution can be found and then proposed. ICMSA is the recognised as having a special expertise and heritage in family dairy farms – and we are hugely proud of that record. Maintaining that record means that we will always focus on farm incomes and how those can be maximised.

ICMSA is a democratic, non-denominational, non-political body with 27 local executives in all counties (Cork has two on grounds of size).  Members are active at local, regional, and national level, putting in every effort to promote the interests and welfare of farm families and the agricultural sector.

Our structure enables farmer members to voice their opinion at Area level, which then leads to those opinions and positions being expressed at Regional level and on to National Council and Committees. ICMSA is structurally – and almost literally – a ‘Grassroots’ organisation where mandates and opinions come from the ground upwards before being formed into policy proposals and put to other stakeholders and organisations.

The day-to-day affairs of ICMSA are managed by the General Secretary who reports to the Executive Committee, which is chaired by the President of the Association. The Executive Committee meets monthly according to the Rules of the Association.